NSERC Instructions on Preparing Descriptions of Proposed Research, Budget and Other Required Material

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Discovery Grants - The Research Proposal

• Use long term goals rather than a single short term project or a collection of projects
• Place the research within the context of what is currently happening in the field
• Summarize relevant prior work in the field
• Articulate the goals
• Describe a research plan and methodology
• Indicate why the research is useful or important
• Provide a progress report on work accomplished with previous funding

You need to convince the selection committee that:

• Your research program promises a notable advancement to a broad range of applications
• You have identified well formulated short term and long term goals
• Attaining these goals would be a significant contribution to the discipline
• You have a good chance of attaining the goals with the resources available

A major portion of the proposal should be devoted to a careful description of the research objectives and of the methodology that will be used. How you are going to start and future options.

Address 1) internal and external reviewers who are knowledgeable 2) remainder of the committee - limited knowledge. Tell a convincing story.

Use of Form 180

Usually NSERC will use 1/2 of the reviewers the applicant has asked for and 1/2 will be appointed by the committee, or 1-2 from the applicant and 1 from the committee.

After an application is received

Two committee members will take a lead role - primary and secondary. They will usually either recommend or reject a proposal. They try to get all three referee comments back but sometimes only get one or two.

Review of Discovery Grant Applications

Each committee is given a "pot" of funding for their applicants. They cannot go over that dollar figure. The committee proceeds from A-Z so by day 4-5 they are bogged down and "cranky". All members will vote on a proposal - the committee will take the mean. Under budget, they usually do not cut less than 50% of former budgets (ie. If $40,000 is asked for it means they cannot fund less than $20,000).

Grant Applications Must Include

• Application for a Grant (Form 101) with supporting documentation, if required
• Personal Data (Form 100) for applicant and ALL co-applicants with appropriate appendices - use UPDATED information
• Samples of research contributions (reprints), if available
• Environmental Assessment, if required

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How Is An Application Assessed

• Merit of the proposal (Form 101)
  • Originality and innovation (is it novel and/or risky?)
    • It is most important to get into the top 1/3 of proposals. Once you get into the top 1/3 every proposal becomes important. Details are most important e.g. HQP, who is training them, where, how. Winners have something across the platform. If you drop out of one category you are still in but after 2 you will be out.
  • Significance and expected contribution to research
  • Clarity and scope of objectives (do not use acronyms)
  • Clarity and appropriateness of methodology (6 pages 2-3 methods is the rule of thumb)
  • Feasibility of the proposal (make sure the proposal is doable)
• Contribution to training of HQP
• Research contributions in previous granting period (publications, seminars, invited talks)
• Evidence of impact on the area of research (citations, awards, other merits)
• The need for funds

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The Personal Data Form (Form 100)

• List ALL sources of support (past 4 years)
• Describe five most significant research contributions
• List other research contributions (2000-2006)
• Describe contributions to training (2000-2006)
• Give other evidence of impact of work
• Explain any delays in research activity
• Use all of the five pages available - don't brag or boast

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Training of HQP

• Quality and extent of past and potential contributions
• Appropriateness of proposed work for training
• Training in collaborative or interdisciplinary environment
• The preference is training of students - it is lower for post docs/technicians

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Need for Funds

• Identify in full how you will spend the money
• Is there any other funding you will be using or have access to and what is the relationship of it to the current proposal
• Spell it out (i.e. 1/2 time for research assistant)
• The committee is limited by the budget they receive
• Appropriateness and justification of budget

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Discovery Grant: Application Tips

• Write the summary in plain language - this is what will be released to the general public
• Provide a progress report on related research - spell out exactly what has happened in the past 5 years of funding
• Tie your past funding into your current proposal
• Position the research within the field i.e. this is the only research done in Canada or the world
• Articulate short and long term objectives - you are usually in the system for a lifetime so detail your life plan
• Prepare a realistic budget - check your estimates - over $100,000 a low percentage are funded
• NSERC $0 - $100,000 with the average at $70,000
• Discuss any relationship to other research support
• Address a re-submission - reviewers comments to show you have resolved their issues
• Ask colleague(s) for comments on your application - VERY IMPORTANT
• It is highly recommended for any new faculty member or first time applicant to have your application reviewed
• Committee members stay for three years - 30% of the committee changes every year
• Read other proposals

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Last reviewed 1/5/2011 11:20:12 AM